Maternal Health
For an Ethiopia free from fistula.
Our aim is to increase access to and awareness of maternal health in order to make childbirth safer and eliminate fistula in Ethiopia.
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The challenge today
Ethiopia faces significant health challenges impacting mothers and newborns, primarily due to limited access to maternal, newborn, and child health services. The situation is grim, with approximately 13,000 women and 84,000 newborns dying each year because of childbirth-related complications. Contributing factors include:
- Inadequate maternal and neonatal services, especially in rural areas.
- A dire shortage of midwives.
- Inadequate education and training in maternal health care.
- A high prevalence of obstetric fistula, with an estimated 9,000 new cases annually
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The solution you can be part of
Fistula is both preventable and curable – and you can be part of the solution today. Our on-the-ground partners have a three-part approach to treat, prevent and reintegrate cases of fistula in Ethiopia:
- Identifying women living in hiding from fistula and arrange for free, quality treatment, including patient transport and complete pre- and post-operative care
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- Training former fistula patients as ambassadors for safe motherhood to educate communities about maternal health and break down the stigma surrounding fistula
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- Training new surgeons, nurses, midwives and doctors to ensure more women can access medical assistance when in labour
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- Teaching former patients different employable skills so they have the skills to re-enter their community and be financially independent
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Access to healthcare
Creating safe, inclusive communities by identifying and treating women affected by fistula and empowering former patients to become maternal health ambassadors, reducing stigma and promoting awareness. Expanding access to healthcare by training new medical professionals and equipping former patients with employable skills for financial independence and community reintegration.
77 midwives’
training costs were contributed to, so that thousands more women in rural communities can access life-saving care.
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119 women
were cured of obstetric fistula, a devastating childbirth injury, and could rejoin their communities with confidence.
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317 pregnant women
were supported through midwife home visits, bringing vital care to women who otherwise would have none.
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Fistula survivors in the middle of the Safe Motherhood Ambassador training course. The training course takes 12 days and upon graduation each woman is presented with a toolkit containing all the things she’ll need as she travels from village to village to spread fistula awareness and support.
Women recovering from their fistula repair surgery at the Gondar Fistula Hospital in northern Ethiopia. Here they receive free, quality treatment including pre- and post-operative care.
Trained Safe Motherhood Ambassador Berhan (right) conducting a home visit with a new mother. She’ll provide post-natal support, make sure both mother and child are healthy, and ensure the mother knows where to go/who to contact in case of complications.
Holding a community engagement event in rural Ethiopia to break down the taboo behind fistula and ensure women aren’t left alone and isolated if they develop fistula.
A couples counselling and male sensitivity workshop for a fistula survivor and her husband. In parts of Ethiopia, it is common for the husband to leave his wife if she develops fistula. Teaching men about fistula is a big step forward to make sure women can get the support they need for safe pregnancy and childbirth.
Here a fistula survivor tends her livestock in her “sheep fattening” business. Because so many women with fistula are forced to live in isolation, they have no means or opportunity to provide for themselves or their children. That’s why after receiving surgery, women are given the chance for skills training and are given a small micro-loan to start their own small, independent and sustainable business.
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Meet your project partners
Hope of Light
Established by Dr. Ambaye, a veteran fistula surgeon trained by the renowned Dr. Catherine Hamlin, Hope of Light operates three fistula health centers in Gondar, Jima, and Assella. The organization goes beyond providing medical care, focusing also on training healthcare professionals in fistula surgery and awareness. Furthermore, they offer post-operative counseling to help patients recover holistically.
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The impact you are making
“Now I am healed and so happy. I will educate my community about obstetric fistula.”
When 32-year-old Aberash went into labour, there was no doctor nearby so she had to give birth at home. After three agonising days, she lost her baby and developed fistula.
“I was hiding myself. I was not drinking enough water for fear of urine leakage. My neighbours isolated me. I became hopeless.”
Aberash lived in misery for 15 months. It was thanks to a travelling Safe Motherhood Ambassador that she not only learnt her condition could be cured and was assisted in getting life-changing fistula surgery, but had the chance to train as a Safe Motherhood Ambassador.
Today Aberash is committed to finding and helping other women suffering from fistula. Through her, you're creating a ripple effect of change in the fight against fistula.
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The impact you can have
29,000
expectant mothers who received care from trained midwives.
5,000
pregnant women registered for healthcare services.
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200,000
people were reached through Safe Motherhood Ambassadors.
1,447
women provided with free surgical care for fistula or pelvic floor disorders.
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For an Ethiopia free from Fistula.
“Now I am healed and so happy. I will educate my community about obstetric fistula.” When 32-year-old Aberash went into labour, there was no doctor nearby so she had to give birth at home. After three agonising days, she lost her baby and developed fistula. “I was hiding myself. I was not drinking enough water for fear of urine leakage. My neighbours isolated me. I became hopeless.” Aberash lived in misery for 15 months. It was thanks to a travelling Safe Motherhood Ambassador that she not only learnt her condition could be cured and was assisted in getting life-changing fistula surgery, but had the chance to train as a Safe Motherhood Ambassador. Today Aberash is committed to finding and helping other women suffering from fistula. Through her, you're creating a ripple effect of change in the fight against fistula.
Aberash
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